(Newark, DE 19713) – On Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 11:45 a.m., Officers responded to the Brookside Shopping Center on the unit block of Marrows Road after a report that a victim had been struck in the face by an unknown projectile, initially believed to be a paintball. Officers obtained descriptions of two suspects, reportedly wearing dark clothing and ski masks, and relayed the information to responding units.
While responding, Officers spotted two juvenile suspects matching the provided descriptions at the intersection of Marrows Road and Kimberton Drive and conducted a stop. During the investigation, a gel blaster toy gun and a bottle containing additional gel rounds were found in one suspect’s book bag.
The suspects later told Officers they had been walking through the area when they saw the victim standing along the side of the building. One suspect suggested shooting the victim with the gel blaster, and when asked why, one of the suspects replied, “just cause.”
The juveniles were taken into custody and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where they were charged as follows:
16-year-old male from Newark
- One misdemeanor count of Assault in the Third Degree
- One misdemeanor count of Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree
The 16-year-old was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $2,000 unsecured bail.
14-year-old male from Newark
- One misdemeanor count of Assault in the Third Degree
- One misdemeanor count of Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree
- One misdemeanor count of Conspiracy in the Third Degree
The 14-year-old was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $3,000 unsecured bail.
